Tabuena presses LIV Golf bid

Miguel Tabuena is 7-under through 36 holes at the PIF Saudi International in Riyadh but needs a low number on Moving Day to boost his chance of securing a slot in the lucrative LIV Golf League.

Entering the season finale ranked third in the Asian Tour’s International Series Order of Merit, Tabuena needs nothing short of a top-two result to guarantee his promotion to next year’s LIV circuit — one of professional golf’s most exclusive tours. Only the top two in points after this tournament will receive automatic berths.

Tabuena, who electrified his home crowd with a dramatic comeback victory at the International Series Philippines, currently sits tied for 19th, seven shots off the pace in a stacked international field. With rivals Scott Vincent, Yosuke Asaji, Oliver Schniederjans, and Wade Ormsby also in contention, every shot now counts in determining who clinches a career-changing LIV spot.

Should Tabuena seal a runner-up finish, he secures his ticket outright; even third place leaves the door narrowly ajar, depending on the performance of his closest competitors.

Missing the direct spots would route Tabuena toward the upcoming LIV Promotions Q School, where a final chance to join golf’s global elite remains.

On Wednesday, Tabuena was bogey-free while sinking three birdies for a three-under-par 68.

Meanwhile, Caleb Surratt, the rising American star, birdied 18 to post a 66, moving to 14-under and taking a one-shot lead over Belgium’s Thomas Pieters heading into Round 3 in Riyadh.

Pieters also shot 66, while Anthony Kim surged into contention with a bogey-free 64, joining Tyrrell Hatton and Josele Ballester two shots back.

Surratt, last year’s runner-up in a playoff, was flawless today — bogey free, five birdies, and a confident drive onto the front of the 18th green to secure the lead.

“I showed myself I can follow up a great round,” said Surratt, who seeks his first pro win.